§ Ms MowlamTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many homes in Northern Ireland have been repossessed in each of the last 10 years. [3853]
§ Mr. StreeterThe number of writs and originating summonses issued in respect of mortgages by the Chancery Division of the Northern Ireland High Court for each of the last 10 years as follows:
- 1985: 1,170
- 1986: 1,545
- 1987: 2,047
- 1988: 2,201
- 1989: 2,459
- 1990: 2,599
- 1991: 3.061
- 1992: 1,646
- 1993: 1,728
- 1994: 1,372
- 1995: 1,220
There are no reliable figures available on the number of decrees for possession granted on foot of these.
The enforcement of judgments office, which is responsible for delivering vacant possession in Northern Ireland, has received the following number of applications to enforce an order for repossession of land for each year over the period:
- 1988: 657
- 1989: 718
- 1990: 748
- 1991: 832
- 1992: 683
- 1993: 492
- 1994: 468
- 1995: 396
The figures relating to the number of these which resulted in actual repossessions taking place are not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.